I’m running a half marathon!

I’m running a half marathon. Let the training commence.

Well friends I decided to bite the bullet and sign up for a Half Marathon. It has been awhile since I have signed up for an trained specifically for a race. The last time was probably The Boston Marathon in 2017. Don’t get me wrong I have run some races since then but they weren’t ones that I was specifically trained for. Lately I have been feeling the itch to race again, to make it official, to sign up with plenty of time to train for the race and hopefully to work with my coach Denise Goode from the Sustainable Athlete again. I need the accountability of working with a coach to get this training done right and she is an awesome motivator.

The race that I signed up for is called The Wallis Sands Half Marathon. It is in Rye, NH on May 19th. I have some time to train and I have a good base so getting back into the longer miles shouldn’t be too bad. Last fall I ran the CHAD Hero Half Marathon and finished in 1:45.18 on a super hilly course. This was run without specifically training for this half marathon. I had to dig really deep for this time. My goal for the Wallis Sands Half Marathon is to beat my time from the fall. This should be doable if I stick to a training plan. Also, the course is listed as being very flat which should help with running a fast time. It is a loop course which is nice too as I am not a big fan of out and back half marathons.

9.7 miles in the bank for half marathon training.

I kicked off the training this week with a super hilly almost 10 mile long run with my friend Lily. I am hoping to run many of my long runs with friends this go around because it sure does make the miles pass more easily and is much more fun too. It was snowy and in the low 30’s with the sun peeking through every now and again. The two mile hill at the start earned us some nice views and a feeling of accomplishment. There is nothing better than the feeling of cresting the top of a big hill and feeling your heart rate and breathing recover. This run also earned us the reward of great downhills on the way back around the loop. A perfect run to start of some of the higher mileage training runs for half marathon training.

Some of my half marathon training will be on the treadmill as I have to schedule my runs on the weekends around when I have kids. It’s ok, because I can put in hard work on the treadmill too. I also hope to continue with CrossFit. I am currently going to CrossFit 2-3 times a week. Hopefully the strength training will help me with my running. I am so excited to get official training kicked off and hope you will follow along with my journey and share your running and racing journey too!

Have you ever run a half marathon? What were the biggest obstacles that you faced when training?

17 responses

Good for you! It’s always fun to have something to train for. I’m sure you will beat your time from CHAD but, if not, just enjoy the journey and the excitement of race day!!
I’m only 6 weeks from Duathlon Nationals in Greenville SC and then a Half IM in June. Let the racing season begin!

I did my first half marathon last year and absolutely loved it. I’m going to try doing another one this year too. I think my biggest obstacle with training is finding time to fit such long runs into my family life.

Yahoo! That sounds like a really pretty course! I have not run a half in several years! I really do miss running and the fun of racing! My training usually is challenge by my work schedule, but I have so much more time to train now, but am injured. One day again!

Hello! I’m Sandra!

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